Ellen and the Escapades: folk music to warm the heart

I have a great belief that our souls need songs for the seasons – and in particular, songs that are able to pull us out of the winter bleakness are some of the most important.  

Ellen and the Escapades, Leeds-based folk-pop quintet who have been attracting attention from any number of quarters in the past 18 months, are just the juice you need in your system to help the sap rise out of the doldrums of the too many, too long and too dark nights we’ve endured since last summer passed away.  

Ellen’s vocals are dusky, enchanting, captivating.  The bands’ sound is perfect lazy-late-night-musings, as in ‘Yours to Keep’, or equally, rides a bouncy, sweetened soulful country vibe as in ‘Preying on Your Mind’.  Their catchy 2009 debut single ‘Without You’ provides a faster beat, a delicious and smile-inducing dollup of country pop with added harmonica.

For the band the whole experience of their music is something that they clearly put a lot of thought into – the delivery of their debut single, released on their own home grown label Branch Out Records, for example was lovingly packaged in hand stitched felt.  Similarly serious consideration went into the best way to release their upcoming album ‘All the Crooked Scenes’ (officially released 16 Apr), which has been produced in conjunction with Pledge Music.  Pledge Music help artists and bands design a specifically tailored fundraising campaign to raise money for their next release and, in total harmony with the ethos and philosophy of Ellen and the Escapades, Pledge encourages artists to participate and engage with their fans through a variety of media and means.

Having won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition and played on the BBC Introducing stages at both Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as gaining the attention and support from BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and Amazing Radio, the band continue to ride the wave they are creating as they embark on their biggest tour to date.

Throughout February and March Ellen and the Escapades will be singing in the spring and as a special treat will be selling pre-released limited edition copies of the album ‘All the Crooked Scenes’ which features a bonus dvd made by The Blind Club -  and once the batch is gone they won’t be pressing anymore.  Yet another fabulous reason to come and see Ellen and the Escapades at Exeter Phoenix and welcome in warmer times to come.

Article by Rebecca Megson